Be the best house on the block

Whether you're selling or staying, upgrading the landscaping and façade adds more value per dollar spent than other improvements

Looking at a home can often be likened to a fledgling courtship between two love-struck individuals where initially looks may not be everything. However, the last phrase an individual wants to hear when the one they're a little gaga over is asked to describe them is, "Well, the personality is good."

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By STACY M. BROWN

poconorecord.com

By STACY M. BROWN

Posted May. 24, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By STACY M. BROWN

Posted May. 24, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

Looking at a home can often be likened to a fledgling courtship between two love-struck individuals where initially looks may not be everything. However, the last phrase an individual wants to hear when the one they're a little gaga over is asked to describe them is, "Well, the personality is good."

Experts say that when it comes to your home, it doesn't hurt at all to have the best looking property on the block.

"Updating your home's façade creates a welcoming entrance and an unforgettable first impression," said Kristina Kinakin of Phantom Manufacturing, an international home improvement firm that also conducts business in the Poconos.

"Whether you are planning to put the house on the market and want to attract possible buyers, or just spruce up your front entrance and outdoor spaces, there are steps you can take to ensure that your home will be the focal point of the neighborhood," Kinakin said.

Among the first steps is adding curb appeal, which serves as a visual welcome for potential buyers and visitors and a chance to add value to the property.

"Simple things such as maintenance and sprucing the trimmings and adding fresh mulch, which is the most basic of things, gives you more interest," said Jim Mathiesen, owner of Mathiesen Landscapes in East Stroudsburg.

"The next level is the front entrance way to your home. When you pull up outdated landscaping and go with improved walkways and shrubs, that'll definitely influence buyers, and the return on the investment, according to a recent study, is 35 percent for every dollar you spend," said Mathiesen, who noted that improving outdoor space in the Pocono Mountains region is vital because many local residents enjoy the outdoors.

Another level of upgrades can be focused on the backyard, said Mathiesen, who has operated his landscaping business for nearly a decade.

"Around your patios, your pools and grills would be absolute selling points. People are going through the home, but they want the property, the entire thing," Mathiesen said.

"When you walk a potential buyer through, there's this added bonus of the outside, where you can create an entire other space. Again, the outside is important because it's a big deal here in our area."

Also, sprucing up the outside of homes may not be as expensive as it sounds, experts said.

"The cheapest way to make your house look better is power wash or clean the outside, paint the front door or anything that's peeling," said Leon Rybner, president of the house building company Pocono Dreams Builder.

"People can add a few trees, grass seeds and just clean up the property of any branches or garbage," Rybner said. "Most importantly, they can buy some mulch; it makes the home look nice and neat for very little money."

Creating an outdoor room for a home can also be beneficial.

"Homebuyers today are looking for outdoor living and entertainment areas, from pavers or natural stone patios to expensive outdoor kitchens," said Anthony Farda, owner of Farda Landscaping & Excavating in East Stroudsburg.

"Fire pits are hot right now in landscape design," Farda said. "Features such as these are a smart investment, creating a home oasis and really adding value, dollar for dollar, to your home."

Still, home sellers in particular should focus on curb appeal above larger-scale home renovations, according to officials at Zillow, a real estate and home-related information marketplace on the Internet.

"A clean entrance can go a long way toward establishing a positive first impression," said Lesinski, who recommends adding "fresh potted flowers to increase the life and energy of the entrance."

Another tip is to simply add a fresh coat of paint to the front door, she said.

"Black, dark charcoal and tasteful reds such as burgundy or cranberry are currently the most popular front door colors, and they bring tasteful exuberance to the home without being too overbearing for potential buyers," Lesinksi said.

An inviting exterior and landscape, fresh paint in neutral colors and clutter-free spaces will always appeal to a broad range of tastes, said Amy Bohutinsky, Zillow's chief marketing officer and a guest judge on NBC's new reality show "American Dream Builders."

As spring gets into full swing, many residents have already been seeded their yards and weeds have been pulled. However, there remains one sure way to add lasting curb appeal, said Megan Keohane, of Buchanan Public Relations LLC in Ardmore, whose clients include real estate investment groups and real estate home advisers.

"It's called hard-scaping," Keohane said. "You can add an aesthetically pleasing element to the front yard with pavers. In a variety of colors and sizes, pavers can be laid to match any home or design and spruce up the whole yard."

While Mathiesen noted a 35 percent return on investment, others said beautifying the outside can be even more lucrative for homeowners, particularly since 71 percent of buyers noted that curb appeal is important when choosing a house, according to a 2013 National Association of Realtors survey.

Further, a landscaping investment could potentially pay up to a 215 percent return in home, said Margaret Woda, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate, based in the Lehigh Valley.

For instance, Woda said a homeowner may recoup up to 68 percent of fees paid to renovate a kitchen, compared with the up to 215 percent estimated for outstanding landscape work.

With such a possible return on investment, real estate agents and those in the landscape business agree that the best use of time and money would be to add curb appeal.

"Major renovations usually will not equal a dollar-for-dollar return, and the time invested outweighs selling the home faster," said Chris Speicher, a Zillow agent who also operates The Speicher Group and RE/MAX, which has offices in Stroudsburg.

"Spend time and money on smaller updates that will bring the home up to market value," Speicher said." These kinds of products include updating lighting fixtures or door handles."